Most Valuable 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards
If you're a hockey card collector or enthusiast, you know that the 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee set is one of the most coveted collections in the hobby. Not only does it include iconic images of legendary players, but some of the cards within the set are exceptionally rare and valuable. In fact, certain 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee cards have sold for tens of thousands of dollars at auction. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the most valuable 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards and explore what makes them so desirable among collectors.
The 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Set: An Overview
The 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee set consists of 528 cards, including 16 checklist cards. The set was produced by O-Pee-Chee, a Canadian company that was one of the major players in the hockey card market during the 1980s and 1990s. The 1990-91 set features a clean, classic design with a player's photo on the front and his statistics and biographical information on the back. The set includes cards of all the major NHL stars of the era, including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Patrick Roy.
The Most Valuable Cards from the Set
While the vast majority of cards from the 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee set are worth a few dollars each, there are a handful of cards that stand out as being exceptionally valuable. Here are the most sought-after cards from the set:
1. Wayne Gretzky #219
Unsurprisingly, the most valuable card from the set is the Wayne Gretzky #219. This card features Gretzky in his Los Angeles Kings uniform and is highly sought after by collectors due to its rarity and the fact that it's one of the last Gretzky cards produced by O-Pee-Chee before the company lost the NHL license. A PSA 10 graded copy of this card sold for $50,000 in 2018.
2. Eric Lindros #137
The Eric Lindros #137 card is another highly prized card from the set. Lindros was a highly touted prospect when this card was produced, and it's one of the few cards from the set that features him in his junior hockey uniform. The card is extremely rare in high grades, with PSA 10 copies selling for around $10,000.
3. Sergei Fedorov #67
Sergei Fedorov was one of the most exciting young players in the NHL during the early 1990s, and his #67 card is highly sought after by collectors. The card is difficult to find in high grades, which has contributed to its high value. PSA 10 graded copies of the card have sold for up to $5,000 in recent years.
4. Jaromir Jagr #335
Jaromir Jagr is one of the greatest players in NHL history, and his rookie card from the 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee set is highly sought after by collectors. The card is difficult to find in high grades due to centering issues, which has contributed to its high value. PSA 10 graded copies of the card have sold for over $4,000 in recent years.
5. Martin Brodeur #325
Martin Brodeur is one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, and his rookie card from the 1990-91 set is highly coveted by collectors. The card is scarce in high grades, and PSA 10 graded copies have sold for up to $3,500 in recent years.
What Makes These Cards So Valuable?
So what is it that makes these 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee cards so valuable? There are a few factors at play:
- Rarity: Many of these cards are exceptionally rare, particularly in high grades. This scarcity drives up demand among collectors.
- Pedigree: The 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee set is one of the most beloved hockey card sets of all time. Many collectors have sentimental attachments to the cards, which drives up their value even further.
- Market Conditions: As with any collectible, the value of these cards is largely determined by market conditions. If a particular card becomes the subject of a bidding war between two collectors, its value can skyrocket.
Conclusion
The 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee set is one of the most beloved hockey card sets of all time, and certain cards within the set are exceptionally rare and valuable. The Wayne Gretzky #219 card is the most valuable card from the set, but other cards featuring players like Eric Lindros, Sergei Fedorov, Jaromir Jagr, and Martin Brodeur are also highly sought after by collectors. So if you happen to have any of these cards in your collection, you might just be sitting on a goldmine.